Two!

My sweet baby is really TWO? Where has the time gone?? Never in my life have two years flown by faster than these two precious, most wonderful years.

My sweet Lyla Gray,

                 I love you more than words could ever express. You have brought more joy to my life and made my heart over flow with so much love I feel like it will explode each moment I look at you. You truly are my heart walking around outside of me.

                 I could literally eat you up. Your cheeks are so easily kissable. That delectably rich baby soft skin still remains and I could literally smother you with kisses all.day.long. 

                 Your giggles fill our house with contagious joy. Your squeals of laughter are almost more than my heart can handle!

                 Your eyes light up when you figure things out on your own. You are so smart, my sweet girl!

You get so fiery frustrated when you cannot do something right the first time or you do not think you are doing it well enough. 

                 You love to be independent, but you love to hold my hand and say "c'mon momma!"

                 You love peanut butter and jelly and ask for it for every meal. You love "nuts!". And you love saying "awww nuts!". You love eating a "teat" (treat) after lunch and dinner.

                 Your vocabulary is taking off by leaps and bounds. You crack me up with the things you say. You like to show me your "rash", you like to wear "tiiiights", and you love "iiiice" in your water. All three of these words are said with the most southern accent.

                 You love talking with your favorite people on the phone and facetime, especially aunt "da" Sarah in "Texus" Texas. And you love your friend Tripp "Dits".

                 You love helping with EVERYTHING. "help, momma, me". You especially love to help cook and bake. Mixing is your favorite. 

You are an amazing sleeper. You sleep 12-13 hours at night. And you take 2-3 hour nap each day. You love to snuggle at "nigh-nigh" time and give several kisses once you are in your bed. You still sleep with your must-haves: blankie, teddy, seahorse, "kee" (monkey), "bar-ee" (Barney) and "bop" (Baby Bop).

I am definitely a sucker for you at nigh-nigh time. You can procrastinate with the best of them, but I must admit I treasure all those sweet moments, extra kisses and especially extra snuggles in your rocking chair. I never know when my last night of doing that will be, so I relish in it. You really love to talk about things while we snuggle, who you love, what we did that day, what we will do tomorrow, when will I let you have holes in your ears like momma's?

You love your "prooh" playroom. You live in here.

You love to draw and do crafts.

Your heart is so incredibly sensitive. You love people, animals, and all things. 

You love going to "church"! You are so excited to go to your classroom. I cannot wait for you to start preschool next year! 

You say please and thank you. You say I love you. You say see you later.

You are so passionate and make everyone feel as they are the center of your attention and oh so special when you are focused on them.

You love "mi-ee" (Micky Mouse Clubhouse) and "tines" (Little Einstein's).

You only want Honey with Pawpaw or Mimi with Gramps (or vise-versa).

You love your babies, to feed them, burp them, walk them and put them nigh-nigh.

You absolutely LOVE playing hide and seek. Definitely a current favorite. 

You love going "pee-pee" on the potty like a big girl...I might need to consider trying the potty training again, sigh.

You love to stand on the lower shelf of the shopping cart at the front and hold on with those sweet little hands to the basket and peek over the top and say "heeeey!! momma!!". I mean come on, I remember doing that as a little girl!

I never knew I could love someone with such unconditional love or be gifted with so much patience. I love that we have been blessed to be at home with each other. I am forever grateful to your Da-ee (daddy) for working so hard that we are able to have this time together.  

You love to pick out your own outfits and dress yourself. You are quite opinionated and can make decisions really quickly (unlike your momma). When asked a question you always start off your response with "ummmm...." I can just see the little wheels turning trying to figure out how to say what you want to say.

You love to have your "cheese" picture taken and then "eee" see it.

We started taking mommy and me gymnastics after Thanksgiving. You love this activity! You are doing so well at it and love going to gymnastics.

You hardly walk anywhere, you either run with those oh so cute toddler legs, or want to be carried. People question why I still carry you. Why would I give up that special opportunity?! There is such a fleeting time that you will want me to carry you, so anytime you want up, you got it girl!!

Each day I realize how fast you will are grow up. What a heart-gripping thought! While I am so proud of you and love watching you turn into this beautiful young lady, no one can prepare a momma for how fast their baby will grow up!!

You are a brave, confident girl. You also have a shy, intimate side as well. I admire you so!

These truly are the best days of my life. I so wish I could freeze these moments in time. I love this age, my "pooh" two year old girl. And since no one has found that sought after pause button, I must just love the moment and look forward to the moments to come! Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can say sweet girl. 

Love, Your Momma